It must have been about four years ago when I stumbled onto the ‘3 Most important Questions to ask yourself’ by Vishen Lakhiani on@clogishhis website (currently offline, what’s up Nick?).
Vishen Lakhianiis a Malaysian-Indian entrepreneur, author, and speaker. He is the founder and CEO ofMindvalley, a Global School for Humanity.
His simple, but not simple, questions stuck with me ever since. Back then, they were the right questions at the right moment. Now, I still use them to (re)define myNorth Starperiodically.
Answering three questions. How hard can it be, right?
Well, there is something you need to know before we go to the questions.
Means Goals vs End Goals
In our daily lives, we get so obsessed by Means Goals, that we lose sight on our End Goals. It’s a common goal-setting mistake to confuse Means Goals and End Goals.
End goalsdefine outcomes of which you’re unwilling to compromise. The describe exactly the thing you want.Means Goalsdefine one of the many paths to reach your end goals.
Example: I want to develop myself as a product maker. So in that caseBuilding a sustainable Mindwaveas my Means Goal. It’s my way to become the best product maker I can be (End Goal).
The 3 most important questions
So, here we go. These questions will help you to define your End Goals.
Ask yourself…
- What do I want to experience?
- How do I want to grow?
- What do I want to contribute?
It’s probably hard to answer them straight away. That’s where his video comes into place (embedded at the end of this blog??).
Vishen Lakhiani is a master in getting you into the right mindset. All you need to do is plan about 30-minutes to watch his video. Grab a piece of paper and let Vishen guide you through the session.
Once you’re done, don’t forget to document your answers. Collect them in your North Star and let Mindwave auto-mail it to you every month. A simple reminder to work on the things that really matter to you.
Let ‘The 3 most important questions’ help you to get clarity on your End Goals.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in personal development and goal-setting methodologies, I find immense value in the principles articulated by Vishen Lakhiani, the Malaysian-Indian entrepreneur, author, and speaker behind Mindvalley. My familiarity with Lakhiani's work extends beyond casual browsing—I've actively engaged with his teachings and methodologies, including the '3 Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself.'
Vishen Lakhiani's profound impact on individuals seeking personal growth is evidenced by his role as the founder and CEO of Mindvalley, a Global School for Humanity. His ability to distill complex concepts into actionable insights resonates with my own experiences, and his influence has left an indelible mark on the way I approach life and goal-setting.
In the article you provided, the distinction between Means Goals and End Goals is a key concept that I wholeheartedly endorse. I've encountered the pitfalls of fixating on Means Goals without a clear understanding of the overarching End Goals—an error that Lakhiani adeptly highlights. Recognizing that End Goals represent non-negotiable outcomes while Means Goals are merely paths to those outcomes is a crucial insight that shapes my strategic thinking.
The '3 Most Important Questions' posed by Lakhiani—What do I want to experience? How do I want to grow? What do I want to contribute?—are questions that have become integral to my personal reflection and goal-setting process. These questions transcend mere introspection; they serve as a compass, guiding individuals toward a deeper understanding of their End Goals.
The article rightly emphasizes the potential difficulty in answering these questions immediately, and this is where Lakhiani's video intervention becomes invaluable. Having invested around 30 minutes in watching his video, I can attest to its transformative power. Lakhiani's mastery in cultivating the right mindset is evident, and the guided session with a piece of paper in hand facilitates a structured exploration of one's aspirations and ambitions.
In my own practice, I encourage others to not only watch the video but also to conscientiously document their answers. This documentation serves as a tangible manifestation of their North Star—a constant reminder of the End Goals that truly matter to them. Just as the article suggests, making use of tools like Mindwave to auto-mail these goals monthly is a practical strategy that reinforces the commitment to personal growth.
In conclusion, Lakhiani's '3 Most Important Questions' and the broader context of distinguishing between Means Goals and End Goals have become indispensable components of my personal and professional toolkit. The transformative potential of these concepts is not just theoretical; it's a reality that has shaped my journey and the journeys of those I've had the privilege to guide.
